Metal work sparks veneer plant fire

Sparks from metal work to repair equipment at Murphy Veneer in White City started a small fire Wednesday evening, Jackson County Fire District No. 3 reported.

Sparks from metal work to repair equipment at Murphy Veneer in White City started a small fire Wednesday evening, Jackson County Fire District No. 3 reported.

Deputy Fire Marshal Don Hickman said workers grinding and welding metal at the veneer plant at 7957 11th St. in White City at about 6 p.m. accidentally sent a shower of sparks into some hot pitch, which then spread into woody debris. The workers had taken appropriate precautions, but the blaze burned through a line carrying air to the equipment and the airflow fanned the flames.

Fire crews were able to douse the flames quickly and only the air hoses were damaged by the fire, Hickman said.